Stabbing accused denied bail, faces 15 fresh charges

POLICE say one teenager was stabbed and a 13-year-old female punched after they approached a group of men who had chased the victims’ cat into park land near Canadian, a court has heard.

The alleged stabber, Jamie Peterson, 23, of Canadian, appeared in Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday where he was refused bail over the alleged attack in which he threatened the group with two knives before stabbing the victim in the hand.

The court heard a co-accused allegedly punched the young female and that both victims were rushed to hospital, with the male requiring surgery and stitches.

Opposing Peterson’s bail, Ballarat police Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Brett Duncan said Peterson and two co-accused had earlier chased the cat through Canadian streets, forcing it into park land at Lake Esmond.

The court heard Peterson, who was on bail for pending criminal matters, is now charged with 15 fresh offences including recklessly causing serious injury, intentionally causing injury, three counts of recklessly causing injury, three of assault in company, three of unlawful assault, assault with a weapon, affray, possessing a controlled weapon without lawful excuse and resisting police.

Detective Senior Constable Duncan said Peterson and the two co-accused fled from Lake Esmond on foot and that Peterson was later seen waving a knife above his head, shouting “I’ve earned this knife”.

Detective Senior Constable Duncan said Peterson was an unacceptable risk to the community if released, adding that he had prior convictions for

assault, burglary and theft and had failed to appear on bail several times in the past.

Peterson wiped away tears in the dock of the court while his father gave evidence, telling magistrate Ian Von Einem that he would support his son if released.

But Mr Von Einem refused the bail application and said the alleged offending was far too serious.

“Apparently, innocent people have been set upon,” Mr Von Einem said. “The evidence against him appears to be very strong.”